60 service members awarded for outstanding service, good conduct and border defence

Georgetown, Guyana – (November 29, 2017) Sixty servicemen and women from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), yesterday, received medals from Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger at a Medal Presentation Parade held at Drill Square, Base Camp Ayanganna for outstanding service, good conduct, long service and border defence.

President Granger pinned members of the GDF with the Military Efficiency Medal and the Border Defence Medal, while members of the GPF were pinned with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, as well as the Border Defence Medal.

In his address to the recipients, the Head of State said that Guyanese are grateful to its servicemen and women, who continue to put their lives on the line in service to country, protecting citizens and safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity. The nation, he said, is proud.

“Today, tonight, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, Soldiers, Policemen, Firemen, Militia men will be on duty by day and by night. While the nation sleeps, every hour of the day and night you and your comrades in uniform will be on duty somewhere in Guyana. We are proud of you. We are proud that you have selected to serve your nation. We are proud that you have been selected to receive these awards. We are proud that over the years, the service provided by you have kept Guyana safe. These awards are mere tokens and symbols. They are what a grateful nation can extend to you. There is no way we can thank you enough for all you do every day to keep this country safe. I urge you to wear these medals with pride,” he said.

The Military Efficiency Medal is awarded to serving members of the GDF, who would have completed ten years of continuous service with good conduct, and approved by the Chief of Staff following recommendations by the Medal Awards Committee.

On the obverse of the Medal is the Cacique’s Crown (an Amerindian head dress), which is encircled by the inscription” One People, One Nation, One Destiny Guyana”, while the reverse has two crossed swords and the words ‘Military Efficiency Medal’ inscribed.

The Border Defence Medal is awarded to serving members of the army and the GPF, who have cumulative service on a Border location in excess of one year and approved by the Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Police following recommendations by the Medal Awards Committee.

On the obverse of the Medal is the same design and inscription as the Military Efficiency Medal. However, on the reverse, there is a circular image of Mount Ayanganna on which is planted the Golden Arrowhead.

The Long Service and Good Conduct medal is awarded to serving members of the Disciplined Services, who have accumulated 15 years of continuous service with good conduct and approved by the Commissioner of Police, also following recommendations by the Medal Awards Committee. The obverse bears the same design as the medals above, while on the reverse there is an image of a key, a baton and an axe and the words, ”For Long Service and Good Conduct” inscribed.

The Medals are all made of nickel, are circular in shape and measure 35 millimetres in diameter.

Among those in attendance at the event were Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland as well as numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps.